Understanding virtue ethics theories begins with understanding the concept of the ideal character traits a virtuous and ethical person has according to Aristotle’s Ethical Theory. I will argue that virtue ethics relies on the actions of a person in adhering to their duty as a part of society’s moral expectations. Louden argues that a contemporary analysis is necessary while holding a more pragmatic application about Aristotle’s view of practical wisdom as the standard of a person’s virtue ethics. I contend that this fails because it only focused on the realities of the contemporary world versus the polis community of the Aristotle’s era when he formed his theory. After first explaining Loudens argument for moral evaluation that it only takes
…show more content…
The first part of his definition of eudaimonia requires a function of man that remains unique to man. After considering some alternatives, he discovers, “There remains, then, the life of action of a being who has reason.” (1098a,2-3). This claim has two parts that are important to reference to his definition of eudaimonia. Reasoning is what is unique to man because there are other active lives, but do not have the ability to reason in ex. animals. The highest good, eudaimonia requires reasoning because without reasoning man would not understand what the virtues are. If man does not know what the virtues are then, man cannot aim for eudaimonia therefore the virtues are a necessary requirement for eudaimonia. Aristotle claims that if his previous definitions of human good are true, then “the good for a man turns out to be an activity of the soul...” (1098a16-18) By activity of the soul, Aristotle implies eudaimonia requires an active life. An active life for Aristotle’s definition of eudaimonia is essential, because it is not something that can be slowly experienced. This relates to Aristotle’s definition of a virtue, when he describes it as, “[Ethical} virtue, then is a habit, ...” (1106a, 36-1107a1) An active life for his definition of eudaimonia is important to highlight because it is only through an active life that an individual will perfect their moral virtues. This …show more content…
This draws upon the argument that internally an individual may be shallow, selfish, without compassion, but they outwardly through their actions do what is right for the situation. At the same time, there exist individuals with self-efficacy of their moral and ethical practices but may when confronted with a specific situation act opposite to these virtue ethics they identify with self. Louden further sees such a comparison as the person without a moral disposition doing what is right when confronted with a situation is far better than not doing what is right at all
The first part of his definition of eudaimonia requires a function of man that remains unique to man. After considering some alternatives, he discovers, “There remains, then, the life of action of a being who has reason.” (1098a,2-3). This claim has two parts that are important to reference to his definition of eudaimonia. Reasoning is what is unique to man because there are other active lives, but do not have the ability to reason in ex. animals. The highest good, eudaimonia requires reasoning because without reasoning man would not understand what the virtues are. If man does not know what the virtues are then, man cannot aim for eudaimonia therefore the virtues are a necessary requirement for eudaimonia. Aristotle claims that if his previous definitions of human good are true, then “the good for a man turns out to be an activity of the soul...” (1098a16-18) By activity of the soul, Aristotle implies eudaimonia requires an active life. An active life for Aristotle’s definition of eudaimonia is essential, because it is not something that can be slowly experienced. This relates to Aristotle’s definition of a virtue, when he describes it as, “[Ethical} virtue, then is a habit, ...” (1106a, 36-1107a1) An active life for his definition of eudaimonia is important to highlight because it is only through an active life that an individual will perfect their moral virtues. This …show more content…
This draws upon the argument that internally an individual may be shallow, selfish, without compassion, but they outwardly through their actions do what is right for the situation. At the same time, there exist individuals with self-efficacy of their moral and ethical practices but may when confronted with a specific situation act opposite to these virtue ethics they identify with self. Louden further sees such a comparison as the person without a moral disposition doing what is right when confronted with a situation is far better than not doing what is right at all